Celebrating Latine Culture and Hispanic Heritage at Georgetown
Georgetown community members connect with Latine culture and Hispanic heritage through teaching, research and scholarship and by building community around shared identity and experiences. We honor the vibrant histories, languages, traditions and values that transcend borders and unite Latine people across the Americas and Caribbean islands.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
The movement to celebrate the contributions of the Latin American community in the United States was introduced in 1968 and has since transformed into a nationally recognized, month-long commemoration of Latine culture from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic, Latino, Latinx or Latine?
Are gender-neutral terms like Latinx and Latine tailored to English speakers? What’s the right word to use? How do you know who’s a part of the community? Professors Amanda Phillips and Ricardo Ortiz weigh in on the history, complexity and cultural significance of the identity terms they use to describe themselves and their communities.
A Testimonial
“Being a Latina, it is very important to me to be a researcher out in the community. Connecting with the community allows me to get in touch with my own self … In partnering with the community, you don’t come in as the expert telling them what they need. You come in as someone with a certain skill set to lend to meet the needs that they have identified.”
Community Voices
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to shine a light on founders and businesses that are authentically Hispanic, authentically Latin and authentically Mexican. The thing people can do is follow, support and buy from these brands. You don’t have to be Latin or Hispanic to make and sell a Latin product, but you should acknowledge where it comes from, as well as the history and authenticity of your product.”
“Many people think that the formation of Latinx communities happened naturally and peacefully, but in actuality, these neighborhoods were often formed in a context of violence and ethnic and racial hostility leading to white flight but also white ethnic community organizing to prevent diversification of their neighborhoods.”
“To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating the many contributions Hispanics have made to the United States to improve and better our community. All of our diverse cultures have played a very important role in making America what it is today, and Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to highlight the stories of the hardworking and passionate people in our community and culture.”
Increasing Latine Representation in Medicine
Students in the School of Medicine formed the Medical Spanish Initiative to train future doctors to use Spanish while working with patients to meet the growing demand for Spanish-speaking physicians in the United States.
Our Hilltop Community
Claudia Arias-Cirinna joins Georgetown as associate vice president and dean of students, bringing with her more than 25 years of leadership in student affairs at universities across the U.S.
Abel Cruz Flores (G’21) was among the first recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program 10 years ago. Last week he finished his journey to a Ph.D.
Engaging Latin America
The Georgetown Americas Institute is a platform for dialogue, research and impact around the key challenges facing Latin America and the hemisphere. Subscribe to “Y esto no es todo” for a daily Spanish-language podcast on current events around the world.
Researching Latin America
From the Archives
In 1978, a Puerto Rican woman named Aida Berio (SFS’52) made headlines for filing a lawsuit for racial discrimination in Washington, DC. After the court’s final decision favored Berio, DC Mayor Marion Barry nominated her as director of the district’s Office of Latino Affairs.
A Testimonial
“Building a conscious community can educate and move people toward awareness of their own privilege. When people acknowledge their own privileges, they can better advocate for others.”